Investigation of micro- and nanostructured coatings for heat exchanger surfaces in an ice store

During loading ice stores an ice layer is forming on the heat exchanger surface when the surface temperature is coming below the nucleation temperature. The growing ice layer increases the heat conduction resistance and the loading performance decreases. With the application of micro- and nanostructured coatings the nucleation temperature of water drops on surfaces in an atmosphere of air can be decreased. If the coatings show similar characteristics under water, they can be used for heat exchanger surfaces in ice stores. Ideally the water in the ice store can be supercooled while ice growth is initiated at nucleation spots apart of the heat exchanger surface. Then a higher loading performance and storage capacity can be realized. First experiments have shown that the coatings can decrease the nucleation temperature. (paper)